Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Councilor Gualberto “Wally” Nuñez of San Pedro Town Council has filed his declaration of financial affairs to the Integrity Commission of Belize as required under the Prevention of Corruption Act in Belize. By law, all those people in public life are required to disclose their financial status which includes assets, income and liabilities within three months of taking office.

On June 6th, 2012 Councilor Nuñez visited The San Pedro Sun office with a copy of his declaration and all supporting documents which was addressed to the Secretary of the Office of the Integrity Commission. When asked why he felt it necessary to disclose his declaration to the public, Nuñez said, “The issue of transparency as it relates to the prevention of corruption act and the declaration was a major issue leading to the election in 2012. I promised the electorates that I will be transparent and as such it is my obligation to show not only San Pedro but Belize that I have nothing to hide,” said Councilor Nuñez.

The Prevention of Corruption Act states that “a declaration shall be furnished pursuant to Section 10 (2) (b), in the case of a person who becomes a person in public life after the date of commencement of this act, within three months of his becoming a person in public life, in respect of the assets, income and liabilities for the year ended on the previous 31st December.” In his case, Councilor Nuñez took office as the only member of the People’s United Party Representative on the San Pedro Town Council on the 8 of March following the municipal election on March 7th.

“I am now challenging my colleagues both locally and nationally to do the right thing and disclosed their financial affairs as per the Prevention of Corruption Act. Some of them claim that they stood for transparency so I am challenging them to the same,” said Wally. This must be done for the year previous to being elected, the years in office and the year after leaving office. Anyone that is guilty of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.